Snowy owls always attract attention during their winter visits to Illinois. While not common, a few snowy owls are almost always found during the colder months, especially in northern Illinois.

Some years, greater numbers of snowy owls appear in Illinois when the lack of prey in northern climates forces them south in a search for food. These are called "irruption years." Irruption means "to increase irregularly." Don't confuse it with eruption, which is what volcanoes do.

The snowy owls on this page were photographed at Montrose Beach, a favorite stop for Chicago-area birdwatchers. Montrose is a small spit of land that extends out into Lake Michigan. It is one of the best places in Illinois to witness spring and fall migration.

Snowy owls are one of the few "diurnal" owl species. This means they are active and may hunt during daylight hours.